- Honda will unveil a cool new Small Sports EV concept at the upcoming Tokyo show.
- Honda's compact, two-seat electric roadster study could be a modern-day Beat.
- The AC-X, a four-door plug-in sedan concept, will also debut from Honda.
- Honda's Micro Commuter Concept explores tomorrow's urban mobility.
TOKYO — Honda will lift the wraps on a cool new electric sports-car concept at the upcoming 2011 Tokyo Auto Show.
This is the Small Sports EV and it's an open-top two-seater designed to be both earth-friendly and fun to drive. Ahead of the show, Honda is giving out zero information on the car, but sketches show a sharp, tapered design with a long wheelbase and deeply sculptured flanks. And a lot of style. Surely this has to be one of the best-looking Hondas in a very long time.
The Tokyo grapevine suggests that, if it makes production, this could turn into a modern-day version of the Beat, Honda's midengine 660cc sports car that sold in Japan in the 1990s. We'll know more when the Small Sports EV concept goes live at the show on November 30.
On the stand, Honda will also have the AC-X, standing for Advanced Cruiser-X. This is a sleek, future-look sedan, with 1.6-liter plug-in hybrid powertrain and 185 inches in overall length that places it somewhere between the Civic and Accord.
Honda sees the AC-X as a refined, next-generation sedan, high on long-distance comfort, but you can also switch to an "engine drive mode" for more aggressive driving. To back that up, the cabin sees twin joystick controls instead of a steering wheel and plush ottoman front seats.
Up front, AC-X runs with a 127-horsepower, 1.6-liter gas engine plus 120kw electric motor. Maximum driving range is 620 miles, Honda says, while overall economy is quoted at a spectacular 260 mpg.
Just as Renault has the Twizy, so Honda now has the Micro Commuter Concept: a truly avant garde EV designed for in-city mobility. Just 98 inches long, this middle-seat showcar can still carry up to three people. There are twin joystick controls and, in a joint collaboration with Honda's motorcycle R&D department, the Motor Compo, a tiny EV commuter bike, can fold up and be carried inside.
Honda will also show the N Box, a small minivan destined for Japan's buzzing 660cc kei jidosha minicar sector. Another in that genre is the N Concept, a next-generation mini somewhat in the style of the classic 1967 Honda N360.
Last but not least, the Integra is back! But hold the excitement — Honda's merely applied the badge to one of the many new-age motorcycles it has at the show.
Inside Line says: With its Small Sports EV Concept, Honda already looks to have one of the stars of the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show.
Add A Comment »
tac9 says:
01:58 PM, 11/15/2011
Looks good. Honda has been sorely lacking in style. Now if only they dropped in a 240HP V6.
ispano says:
01:32 PM, 11/10/2011
The small sports EV is likely the next Honda Beat, based on designs and questions/comments made at a recent share holders meeting in Japan.
The AC-X is likely the direction of the Accord, or possibly an Acura sedan.
The AC-X design is based on the Skydeck concept, a design language Honda intends to bring to the masses.
twistedrider says:
01:30 PM, 11/10/2011
@deathtollwrx:
"Is there a reason why we can't get a 2 door Honda hatch these days?
Perhaps i'm the only person that wants a new 2 door hatch from Honda. It doesn't need to be a top of the line Si edition or anything.. just something simple and fun."
They do have a Civic hatch. Just not for us Yanks. Honda seems to think Europe is more deserving.
anuragr says:
01:09 PM, 11/10/2011
For all you Hyundai fanboys and Honda haters which have and will hate on Hondas products, I've never seen Hyundai make an eco-SPORTS CAR with gorgeous styling which i'll admit, has some styling cues from Audi. Frankly this is a humongous step in the right direction. Honda's CEO announced that Honda has taken notice of recent cars and IS GOING TO BRING BACK MORE MANUALS AND FUN CARS.
So haters keep hating on Honda.
Honda, pls make this into production without blue lights and 29 inch wheels.
silverstang1 says:
08:39 AM, 11/10/2011
lol the cops will love honda's new designs. so many blue lights they will have plenty of tickets to write
pommah says:
06:43 AM, 11/10/2011
I'm finding the styling of the sports car and sedan pretty darn interesting, both out and in. The commuter thing I could leave.
The dual joy stick thing won't work, but the rest of the interior styling is cool. I like the skinny seat look.
throwback says:
06:18 AM, 11/10/2011
I'm impressed, it appears Honda has finally found some style. Hopefully the concepts look good in the metal.
fandiesel says:
05:55 AM, 11/10/2011
Honda, just check out the Hyundai Genesis coupe and see if you can do that ! Simple !
deanoflas says:
05:14 AM, 11/10/2011
seriously, if all cars of the future have one of these stupid looking skinny-chaired cabins...
carlos20 says:
05:07 AM, 11/10/2011
When a car company make splash in 21th century with a 1.6 130 hp engine , well the automotive
world is becoming out of gas in innovation.
Those engines were history for Honda 25 years ago, Honda is just seeing the future, looking for
new form to transport people.